What can be done to Avert Ice Loss in the Polar Regions?

The global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. This is due to climate change, resulting to high temperatures. Research has found that the melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice is worsening. The melting of the ice has led to increased sea level that would have a negative impact to Coastal residents, if the trend persists.

According to Thomas Slater, who was the lead researcher, close to 28 trillion tonnes of ice was lost between the year 1994 and 2017. Close to 67 percent of the ice loss is attributed to the warming of the atmosphere while 33 percent is caused by the warming of the sea waters.

Climate change has been a major concern in the whole world, as various countries have already committed themselves to achieving zero-rate carbon emissions. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would result to lower temperatures, thus reducing the rate of ice loss in polar areas.

The research findings conducted by the European Geosciences Union dubbed as “Review article: Earth’s ice imbalance” revealed that the Arctic sea ice was reduced by 7.6 trillion since 1994. It was also revealed that 3.2 percent excess energy was absorbed due to global warming resulting into the ice loss.

Satellite surveys were used by the UK scientists in their analysis of ice loss on the planet poles, mountains and glaciers. Scientists warn that the loss of ice in large magnitude will lead to the inability of the planet to reflect solar radiation back into space.

The pouring of cold water from melting ice sheets and glacier into the Arctic and Antarctic waters will result into biodiversity loss.